Apparatus and method for sequencing loading units in a predetermined order

Abstract

Loading units are collections of goods to be placed in sequence and compiled, as onto a pallet, for shipment. An apparatus is provided for sequencing loading units in a predetermined order. The apparatus includes a sequencing zone with a plurality of belts for receiving units to be sequenced, and a feeding device for units arranged upstream of the sequencing zone. Also included is a separation device with intakes for loading units. A distribution device distributes units onto the belts; a relocation device conveys separated units toward a downstream conveying device. The distribution device and the relocation device include a transverse pusher for pushing the units transversely to the belts or the intakes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus ( 1 ) for sequencing loading units ( 2 ) in a predetermined order, the apparatus comprising:
 a sequencing zone ( 6 ) with a plurality of belts ( 7 ) for receiving loading units ( 2 ) to be sequenced; 
 a feeding device ( 3 ) for loading units ( 2 ), the feeding device ( 3 ) arranged upstream of the sequencing zone ( 6 ); 
 a separation device ( 23 ) with intakes ( 24 ) for loading units ( 2 ), the separation device ( 23 ) arranged downstream of the sequencing zone ( 6 ) and separating loading units into separated loading units; 
 a distribution device ( 26 ) for distributing the loading units ( 2 ) onto the belts ( 7 ); and 
 a relocation device ( 28 ) for conveying the separated loading units ( 2 ) towards a conveying device ( 5 ) arranged downstream of the relocation device; 
 
       wherein the distribution device ( 26 ) and/or the relocation device ( 28 ) comprises at least one transverse pusher ( 17 ,  20 ) which pushes the loading units ( 2 ) transversely to the belts ( 7 ) or intakes ( 24 ). 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one transverse pusher ( 17 ,  20 ) comprises at least two pusher arms ( 15 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19 ), pivotable relative to one another, and arranged on a corresponding carrying arm ( 21 ,  22 ) above and transversely to the belts ( 7 ) or intakes ( 27 ), the at least two pusher arms displaceable along the corresponding carrying arm ( 21 ,  22 ) and abuttable with the loading units ( 2 ). 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein:
 the at least two pusher arms ( 15 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19 ) are pivotable relative to the corresponding carrying arm ( 21 ,  22 ), and are abuttable with the loading units ( 2 ) by the pivoting movement; and 
 the at least two pusher arms are displaceable along the corresponding carrying arm ( 21 ,  22 ) in a pivoted position relative to an other pusher arm ( 15 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19 ). 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the intakes ( 24 ) comprise separation belts ( 25 ) which convey the loading units ( 2 ) into an area of reach of the at least one transverse pusher ( 17 ,  20 ). 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the feeding device ( 3 ) comprises:
 a feeding belt ( 4 ); and 
 a stop device ( 32 ) between the feeding belt ( 4 ) and a first one of the plurality of belts ( 27 ) of the sequencing zone ( 6 ) adjacent to the feeding belt, on which loading units ( 2 ) conveyed onto an adjacent one of the plurality of belts ( 7 ) can be brought into abutment such that the loading units remain arranged in abutment on the stop device as the belts ( 7 ,  27 ) run; 
 
       wherein the loading units are movable into releasable engagement with the transverse pusher ( 17 ). 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a stop device ( 42 ), at an end region ( 41 ) of each belt of the plurality of belts ( 7 ) adjacent to a corresponding one of the intakes ( 24 ), the stop device ( 42 ) displaceable relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of belts ( 7 ) such that a loading unit ( 2 ) arranged on the corresponding belt is conveyable by the corresponding belt toward the corresponding one of the intakes ( 24 ) when the stop device ( 42 ) is displaced. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein:
 a conveying speed of at least one of the separation belts ( 25 ) is greater than a conveying speed of an associated one of the plurality of belts ( 7 ); and 
 after one of the loading units ( 2 ) has been gathered by the at least one separation belt, the stop device ( 42 ) is displaced into an abutment position relative to the corresponding one of the plurality of belts ( 7 ), such that the one of the loading units ( 2 ) conveyed by the corresponding belt ( 7 ) toward the stop device ( 42 ) comes into abutment with the stop device. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the belts ( 7 ) and the intakes ( 24 ) comprise modular chains ( 8 ) having a chamfered border region ( 9 ) transverse to a conveying direction of the belts. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for sequencing loading units ( 2 ) in a predetermined order comprising:
 a sequencing zone ( 6 ) with a plurality of belts ( 7 ) for receiving loading units ( 2 ) to be sequenced; 
 a feeding device ( 3 ) for loading units ( 2 ) arranged upstream of the sequencing zone ( 6 ); 
 a separation device ( 23 ) with intakes ( 24 ) for loading units ( 2 ) arranged downstream of the sequencing zone ( 6 ); 
 a distribution device ( 26 ) for distributing the loading units ( 2 ) onto the belts ( 7 ); 
 a relocation device ( 28 ) for conveying separated loading units ( 2 ) towards a conveying device ( 5 ); 
 
       wherein the loading units ( 2 ) are displaceable relative to the belts ( 7 ) of the sequencing zone ( 6 ) by a first transverse pusher ( 17 ). 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the loading units ( 2 ) are displaced, relative to the intakes ( 24 ), by a second transverse pusher ( 20 ). 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the each of the transverse pushers ( 17 ,  20 ) comprises two pusher arms ( 15 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19 ) pivotable relative to one another, and the pusher arms ( 15 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19 ) are displaceable on a corresponding carrying arm ( 21 ,  22 ) transversely to a conveying direction of the belts ( 7 ), wherein one of a first pair of pusher arms ( 15 ,  16 ) conveys one of the loading units towards a respective belt ( 7 ), while another of the first pair of pusher arms ( 15 ,  16 ) is displaced in a position pivoted with respect to the first carrying arm ( 21 ) towards a first belt ( 27 ) adjacent the feeding device ( 3 ).